Louis van Gaal has warned Manchester United not to act as Steven Gerrard did in last season’s game with Liverpool at Anfield and lose their cool. The home side’s captain was sent off after 38 seconds of the second half, having entered as a replacement at the break.

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Despite United being sixth and Liverpool ninth, the Dutchman believes the fixture remains the domestic game’s biggest clash. He pointed to how Gerrard lost his head as an illustration of how the meeting can affect even the most experienced of footballers.

“Last year Gerrard was coming in and he was sent off within 30 seconds,” the manager said. “That’s not happening so much. So we need to be aggressive but also under control in these kind of matches. That’s always difficult because the passion to play this kind of game is very high.”

Van Gaal suggested Adnan Januzaj was under consideration for Sunday’s squad after his early return from a season-long loan at Borussia Dortmund. “We have taken a risk and we have built him up in our way of training sessions,” he said. “Now he can be on the bench or he shall play in the second team [under-21s].”

Bastian Schweinsteiger may not recover in time from the leg injury suffered against Sheffield United. “I think we have the same injuries as before; maybe Schweinsteiger is coming back but that is not sure,” said Van Gaal. “It is very tight to regain [full fitness], I think. He needs more time, I think. [Michael] Carrick, he is also injured.”